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April
4, 2004 - Passion Sunday
PALM
SUNDAY OF THE LORD'S PASSION (C)
A.
Jerusalem: Place of Suffering and of Triumph
B. And the Passion Goes On…
Readings:
Is 50:4-7;
Ps 22:8-9, 17-18, 19-20, 23-24;
Phil 2:6-11; Lk 23:1-49
(Listen
to MP3)
Commentaries
/ Gospel Reflections from:
Sunday's
Into Silence • Daily Gospel
• Preaching
the Word
Note. Take into account that
on Palm Sunday there are normally a rather large number of faithful
present who are not regular churchgoers on Sundays. This is an incentive
to make the liturgy speak well through its symbols, uncomplicated texts,
and songs in which the people can join easily.
I.
BLESSING OF PALMS AND PROCESSION
Introduction
by the Celebrant
A.
Jerusalem: Place of Suffering and of Triumph
We
know from the school of life that not every day is a day of joy and
bliss: there are also gloomy days of suffering, of disappointments and
failure. But today, on Palm Sunday "of the Lord's Passion,"
we are told in no uncertain terms that this was the freely accepted
lot of no less than Jesus himself. First, we see him acclaimed in a
small triumph, but then we hear how he is led to his death. One week
from now, on Easter Sunday, we will hear it clearly and emphatically
stated that his death led to the triumph of his own resurrection; we
will also hear of the forgiveness and life he brings us. We unite ourselves
with Our Lord in his triumph and in his suffering and death and we pray
that he will make our life and death as acceptable and meaningful as
his.
B.
And the Passion Goes On…
Today
and during the whole of Holy Week our attention focuses on the sufferings
which our Lord endured for our sake and how they led to his resurrection
and our own rising from sin and evil and ultimately from death. But
we keep also in mind that Jesus goes on suffering today in his body,
that means, in his people who are victims of injustice, of deprivation,
betrayal, persecution. Let us pray for them that they may also rise
with the Lord and that we may help them to rise.
Prayer
of the Blessing of the Palms
Let
us pray
(PAUSE)
God of all life,
we come before you with green branches,
symbols of life and youth,
and of Jesus, who called himself the green wood.
Bless us, and bless these branches.
Let these green twigs and leaves acclaim Christ
as our Lord who brings us life's fullness,
even though we have to go with him
the hard road of suffering and death
toward the final victory.
We ask this through Christ our Lord
who lives and reigns for ever and ever. R/ Amen.
The priest sprinkles the branches
with holy water in silence.
Gospel
of the Palm Blessing (Lk 19:28-40): Blessed
Is He Who Comes in the Name of the Lord
The
people acclaim Jesus, but during his trial, they will shout: "Crucify
him!" Where do we stand?
A brief homily may now be given.
Then the priest or a minister invites the people for the procession:
And
now, with the disciples
and the people of Jerusalem,
we acclaim Jesus with joy as our Lord and Savior.
We follow him, waving our palm branches.
II.
THE EUCHARIST
Song:
The procession song serves also as Entrance Song. After the procession
or solemn entrance, the priest prays immediately the Opening Prayer.
Only if there is no procession or solemn entrance, the usual Penitential
Act and Kyrie from the missal are said.
Opening
Prayer
Let
us pray that we may follow Jesus
on his road of service
(PAUSE)
God our Father,
in Jesus your Son you have shown us
that the road that leads to victory
is the way of loving service
and the willingness to pay the price of sacrifice
for faithful, unswerving love.
Give us the mentality and attitude of Jesus,
that we may learn to serve with him
and to love without counting the cost.
May we thus become victorious with him
who is our Lord for ever and ever. R/ Amen.
Scripture
Readings
First
Reading Introduction: God Will Come to My Help
The Suffering Servant of God remains faithful
to his mission even when persecuted for he relies on God
First
Reading: Is 50:4-7 (Listen
to MP3 - 3rd
Servant Song: Suffering and trust)
The Lord Yahweh
has taught me so I speak as his disciple and I know how to sustain the
weary. Morning after morning he wakes me up to hear, to listen like
a disciple. The Lord Yahweh has opened my ear. I have not rebelled,
nor have I withdrawn.
I offered my back to those who strike me, my cheeks to those who pulled
my beard; neither did I shield my face from blows, spittle and disgrace.
I have not despaired, for the Lord Yahweh comes to my help.
So, like a flint I set my face, knowing that I will not be disgraced.
Responsorial
Psalm: Ps 22:8-9, 17-18, 19-20, 23-24
R.
(2a) My God, my God, why have you abandoned me?
All
who see me scoff at me;
they mock me with parted lips, they wag their heads:
"He relied on the LORD; let him deliver him,
let him rescue him, if he loves him."
R. My God, my God, why have you abandoned me?
Indeed,
many dogs surround me,
a pack of evildoers closes in upon me;
They have pierced my hands and my feet;
I can count all my bones.
R. My God, my God, why have you abandoned me?
They
divide my garments among them,
and for my vesture they cast lots.
But you, O LORD, be not far from me;
O my help, hasten to aid me.
R. My God, my God, why have you abandoned me?
I will
proclaim your name to my brethren;
in the midst of the assembly I will praise you:
"You who fear the LORD, praise him;
all you descendants of Jacob, give glory to him;
revere him, all you descendants of Israel!"
R. My God, my God, why have you abandoned me?
Second
Reading Introduction: Jesus Humbled Himself and
So Became Our Lord
God's Son humbled himself to become one
of us and to serve us. This is why God raised him up and made him the
Lord of all.
Second
Reading: Phil 2:6-11 (Listen
to MP3 - Christian
love and humility of Christ)
Though he was in
the form of God, he did not regard equality with God as something to
be gnashed but emptied himself, taking on the nature of a servant, made
in human likeness, and in his appearance found as a man. He humbled
himself by being obedient to death, death on the cross.
That is why God
exalted him and gave him the Name which outshines all names, so that
at the Name of Jesus all knees should bend in heaven, on earth and among
the dead, and all tongues proclaim that Christ Jesus is the Lord to
the glory of God the Father.
Passion
Introduction: Jesus' Suffering and Death
Note:
The passion does not have the customary greeting at the beginning, just
the title. Neither does the Lectionary give the usual conclusion at
the end ["This is] the gospel of the Lord."
In
the passion, Luke presents Jesus as the one who came to seek and save
what was lost. He offers God's mercy to people today.
Passion:
Lk 23:1-49 or Lk
22:14-23:56 (Listen
to MP3 - Crucifixion
& Death
of Jesus)
 The
whole council rose and brought Jesus to Pilate. They gave their accusation:
"We found this man subverting our nation, opposing payment of taxes
to Caesar, and claiming to be Christ the king."
Pilate asked Jesus, "Are you the King of the Jews?" Jesus
replied, "You said so." Turning to the chief priests and the
crowd, Pilate said, "I find no basis for a case against this man."
But they insisted, "All the country of the Jews is being stirred
up with his teaching. He began in Galilee and now he has come all the
way here."
When Pilate heard this, he asked if the man was a Galilean. Finding
the accused to come under Herod's jurisdiction, Pilate sent Jesus over
to Herod who happened to be in Jerusalem at that time.
Herod was delighted to have Jesus before him now; for a long time he
had wanted to see him because of the reports about him, and he was hoping
to see Jesus work some miracle. He piled up question upon question,
but got no reply from Jesus.
All the while the chief priests and the scribes remained standing there,
vehemently pressing their accusations. Finally, Herod ridiculed him
and with his guards mocked him. And when he had put a rich cloak on
him, he sent him back to Pilate. Pilate and Herod who were enemies before,
became friends from that day.
Pilate then called together the chief priests and the elders before
all the people, and said to them, "You have brought this man before
me and accused him of subversion. In your presence I have examined him
and found no basis for your charges. And neither has Herod, for he sent
him back to me. It is quite clear that this man has done nothing that
deserves a death sentence. I will therefore have him scourged and then
release him." (On the Passover Pilate had to release a prisoner.)
Howling as one man, they protested: "No! Away with this man! Release
Barabbas instead." This man had been thrown into prison for an
uprising in the city and for murder.
Since Pilate wanted to release Jesus, he appealed to the crowd once
more, but they shouted back, "To the cross with him! To the cross!"
A third time Pilate said to them, "Why, what evil has he done?
Since no crime deserving death has been proved, I shall have him scourged
and let him go."
But they went on
shouting and demanding that Jesus be crucified, and their shouts grew
louder. So Pilate decided to pass the sentence they demanded. He released
the man they asked for, the one who was in prison for rebellion and
murder, and he delivered Jesus in accordance with their wishes.
When they led Jesus
away, they seized Simon of Cyrene, who was coming in from the fields,
and laid the cross on him, to carry it behind Jesus.
A large crowd of
people followed him; among them were women beating their breast and
wailing for him, but Jesus turned to them and said, "Women of Jerusalem,
do not weep for me, weep rather for yourselves and for your children.
For the days are coming when people will say: 'Happy are the women without
child! Happy are those who have not given birth or nursed a child! And
they will say to the mountains: Fall on us! And to the hills: Cover
us!" For if this is the lot of the green wood, what will happen
to the dry?"
Along with Jesus,
two criminals also were led out to be executed. There at the place called
The Skull he was crucified together with the criminals - one on his
right and another on his left. (Jesus said, "Father, forgive them
for they do not know what they do.") And the guards cast lots to
divide his clothes among themselves.
The people stood by watching. As for the rulers, they jeered at him,
saying to one another, "Let the man who saved others now save himself,
for he is the Messiah, the chosen one of God!"
The soldiers also mocked him and when they drew near to offer him bitter
wine, they said, "So you are the king of the Jews? Free yourself!"
For above him was an inscription which read, "This is the King
of the Jews."
One of the criminals
hanging with Jesus insulted him, "So you are the Messiah? Save
yourself and us as well!" But the other rebuked him, saying, "Have
you no fear of God, you who received the same sentence as he did? For
us it is just: this is payment for what we have done. But this man has
done nothing wrong." And he said, "Jesus, remember me when
you come into your kingdom." Jesus replied, "Truly, you will
be with me today in paradise."
It was now about
noon. The sun was hidden and darkness came over the whole land until
mid-afternoon; and at that time the curtain of the Sanctuary was torn
in two. Then Jesus gave a loud cry, "Father, into your hands I
commend my spirit." And saying that, he gave up his spirit.
The captain on
seeing what had happened, acknowledged the hand of God. He said, "Surely
this was an upright man." And all the people who had gathered to
watch the spectacle, as soon as they saw what had happened went home
beating their breasts. Only those who knew Jesus stood at a distance,
especially the women who had followed him from Galilee; they witnessed
all this.
Commentary
"HE
changed sunset into sunrise," wrote Clement of Alexandria (about
200 AD). He changed the meaning of death. His disciples, because of
the memory and knowledge of him, could even run towards it. Ignatius
of Antioch (martyred in 107 A.D.) wanted to be "a libation poured
out to God." In a letter to the Christians in Rome, where he
was being brought bound to be thrown to the beasts in the Coliseum,
he wrote, "There is an altar ready for me. You may form a loving
choir around it and sing hymns of praise in Jesus Christ to the Father,
for permitting me, Syria's bishop, summoned from the realms of the
morning [the East], to have reached the land of the setting sun [Italy,
to the west of Syria]. How good it is to be sinking down below the
world's horizon towards God, to rise again later into the dawn of
his presence!"
Read
also Sundays Into Silence: From
a Shallow Victory to a Vital Defeat
General
Intercessions
With
Jesus we pray and suffer that all people may find forgiveness and life.
We pray: R/ Lord, save your people.
- Lord
Jesus, our Savior, suffering your agony with you, we pray for all who
are dying in pain. We say: R/ Lord, save your people.
- Lord Jesus, arrested like a criminal, we pray for all who are in prison.
We say: R/ Lord, save your people.
- Lord
Jesus, denied by your best friends, we pray for all who are deserted
by those dear to them. We say: R/ Lord, save your people.
- Lord
Jesus, brought before unjust judges, we pray for all who suffer from
injustice, especially in unjust courts. We say: R/ Lord, save your
people.
- Lord
Jesus, scourged and crowned with thorns, we pray for all who are tortured.
We say: R/ Lord, save you people.
- Lord
Jesus, carrying your cross, we pray for all who don't know how to bear
their afflictions. R/ We say: Lord, save your people.
- Lord
Jesus, dying on the cross abandoned, we pray for all who are alone in
life. R/ We say: Lord, save your people.
- Lord
Jesus, raised from the dead, we pray you to bring us life and peace
and to raise us up with you. R/ We say: Lord, save your people.
Crucified
Lord, hear our prayer. Give us here today the bread of resurrection
and life. Turn our ways of the cross into roads to life and joy. Be
with us for ever and ever. R/ Amen.
Prayer
over the Gifts
Loving
Father,
on the night before he died
Jesus gave himself to his friends
in the form of bread and wine,
as he does again now here among us.
Give us grateful hearts for all his goodness
and make us strong enough
to give ourselves with him
to those with whom we go through life.
Let this offering bring us reconciliation
with one another and with you.
We ask this in the name of Jesus the Lord. R/ Amen.
Introduction
to the Eucharistic Prayer
Jesus'
cross and death brought us forgiveness and life. He died, that we might
live. With Jesus we thank the Father for his love.
Deliver
Us
Deliver
us, Lord, from sin
and from every other evil,
and grant us your forgiveness and peace.
In your mercy, give hope and love
to those who are abandoned
and are agonizing because of their crosses.
Lead us all forward in hope
toward the full coming among us
of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. R/ For the kingdom...
Invitation
to Communion
This
is Jesus, the Lamb of God, who said:
"Anyone who wants to be great among you
must be the servant of all,
just as I came not to be served
but to serve,
and to give my life as a ransom for all."
Happy are we if we follow the Lord. R/ Lord, I am not worthy...
Prayer
after Communion
Loving
Father, in this eucharist
your Son Jesus has given himself to us
as he gave himself totally on the cross.
May we learn from him
to keep our hope in you alive
and to continue going our way in life
also when we do not know
what will come to us in the future
or when we have to bear heavy crosses.
For we trust you, and we know
that we will rise above our miseries
to a life of joy without end,
by the power of Jesus Christ our Lord. R/ Amen.
Blessing
In
Jesus we have seen today
how love of God and love of people
go hand in hand, are inseparable.
Jesus' love for the Father
made him go all the way in his love for us.
He died in carrying out that mission
and in his death we are reborn.
Let this thought guide us this Holy Week
and inspire our Christian living too:
Jesus is the Master and Lord,
and we follow him.
May God give you strength and bless you:
the Father, and the Son, and the Holy Spirit. R/ Amen.
Go
with one another
the way of Jesus our Lord. R/ Thanks be to God.
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